Acupuncture Frequently Asked Questions

Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the body using very thin, sterile needles. It is most commonly used to help manage pain, but acupuncture can also influence the nervous system, reduce muscle tension, improve blood flow, balance hormones, and reduce the damaging effects of stress.

Modern research is investigating mechanisms involving the nervous system, fascia, or connective tissue, nitric oxide signaling, immune system modulation, and neurochemical signaling.

At Orlando Acupuncture, treatments are individualized according to teach individual patient and tailored to their unique health goals.

Acupuncture is most commonly used for pain, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines and osteoarthritis-related knee pain. Besides pain acupuncture has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions including; autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, neurological conditions such as post stroke recovery, digestive symptoms such as IBS, Fertility and IVF support, as well as symptoms during pregnancy is another area where acupuncture therapy excels.

At Orlando Acupuncture, our clinical focus includes chronic pain, fertility and reproductive health, and complex or persistent conditions. Treatment recommendations are individualized to each patient.

Acupuncture appears to work through several overlapping mechanisms rather than one single effect. Needle stimulation activates sensory nerves and can influence areas of the brain and spinal cord involved in pain perception, autonomic regulation and the release of gasotransmitters and other neurochemical signals.

Together, these effects improve the health and functioning of the body, and allow for deep restorative rest and healing.

During acupuncture, a licensed practitioner inserts sterile, single-use needles into carefully selected acupuncture points. The needles are extremely thin and are usually placed only a short distance into the tissue.

The practitioner may leave the needles in place for a period of time and may occasionally manipulate them manually or use gentle electrical stimulation called electroacupuncture.

Most patients feel very relaxed during treatment, barley feel or notice the acupuncture needles themselves because they are so thin, and nap while lying down comfortably on a memory foam table during treatment.

Acupuncture needles can be placed on many areas of the body depending on the condition being treated. Common locations include the hands, arms, feet, legs, head, back and abdomen, with the arms and legs distal to the elbows and knees being the most commonly used acupuncture locations.

The needles are often not placed directly where the patient feels pain or other symptoms. Acupuncture frequently uses points located farther away that are selected according to neurological relationships.

A typical acupuncture appointment usually lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes, although first visits may take longer because of the consultation and evaluation done before developing a diagnosis and treatment plan.

At Orlando Acupuncture, needles are commonly retained for approximately 20 to 35 minutes, although the exact time varies according to the patient and the condition being treated.

Some people notice a change after their first acupuncture treatment, while others require several treatments before there is a clear improvement.

Acute problems generally respond more quickly than conditions that have been present for months or years. Chronic pain, fertility concerns and complex health problems usually require a course of treatment rather than a single session.

The most useful measure is whether there is measurable progress during the first course of treatment, usually 10 sessions. Your treatment plan should be reassessed based on your response to therapy.

There is no universal number of acupuncture treatments that works for everyone.

A recent or relatively simple condition may respond within a few treatments. Chronic or complex conditions often require a longer course of care.

At Orlando Acupuncture, treatment frequency and duration are based on the condition, its severity, how long it has been present and how the patient responds. We establish treatment goals and periodically reassess whether acupuncture is producing the expected improvement.

For an active health problem, acupuncture is commonly performed once or twice per week initially. More frequent treatment may occasionally be appropriate for severe or acute conditions.

As symptoms improve, treatments are usually spaced farther apart. Many patients enjoy acupuncture and choose periodic maintenance acupuncture treatments.

The ideal frequency depends on what is being treated and how quickly the patient responds.